Auburn's Gene Chizik on playing more freshmen, injuries, search for punt returner

Gene Chizik: Tigers need to be better to beat Tennessee (Birmingham News / Hal Yeager photo)Auburn coach Gene Chizik said he wasn’t too pleased with his team’s performance in Saturday’s 54-30 win over Ball State, and said Tennessee will be a tough opponent this weekend in Knoxville.

Chizik covered a lot of topics in his weekly Sunday meeting with the media. He talked about injuries, taking the redshirt off two more true freshmen, a shake-up in the offensive line and Gabe McKenzie, who played both offense and defense Saturday.

Here we go…

**Chizik was cautious talking about the team’s injuries, though receiver/Wildcat Kodi Burns and running back Onterio McCalebb said they’d be OK for Tennessee after being knocked out against Ball State.

Burns left with a thigh injury and McCalebb hurt his ankle.

``Day-by-day,’’ Chizik said. ``We’ll know by Tuesdayish.’’

Chizik said he has other players who can run the Wildcat offense, but no one attempted to do so after Burns departed in the first quarter.

**Chizik said he’s still looking for a reliable punt returner.

``We just had a team meeting and I told them it’s very disheartening because we spend so much time on it.

``We’ve discussed everybody.’’

**Chizik said he was ``disappointed in a number of things’’ in Saturday’s 54-30 win.

``Heading into October is going to be a tough month. We have to play better in all levels,’’ Chizik said.

Chizik’s problems with the game? Sloppy penalties, sleep-walking at the beginning of the game, the early fumble punt and, after taking a big lead, going ``back to sloppy football.’’

``These games are tough because you can only win these games one way for everybody to be happy.’’

Translation: Utter blowout.

``I’m never displeased with a win – I just wished we could have played with more focus.’’

**Gabe McKenzie played defensive end and tight end Saturday.

``We’re trying to see where Gabe can help our football team the most,’’ Chizik said. ``It was good he was able to play both.’’

**Chizik didn’t say when offensive guard Byron Isom would return. He was suspended for a violation of team rules before the Ball State game. Freshman John Sullen started in his place.

``It’s something we have a plan for,’’ Chizik said. ``We’ll continue to work a rotation with the guys.’’